Lubavitch Senior Boys School

School progress monitoring inspection report

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Main inspection findings

Part 1. Quality of education provided Paragraph 2(1), 2(1)(a), 2(1)(b), 2(1)(b)(i), 2(2), 2(2)(a), 2(2)(d), 2(2)(d)(ii), 3, 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e), 3(f), 3(g), 4  At the previous monitoring inspection, pupils did not have access to the full secular curriculum, including technological, human and social, aesthetic and creative education. Curriculum planning was poor. Teachers’ confidence, expertise and skills to deliver the curriculum were limited. Systems to assess pupils’ learning were at the very early stages of development.  This inspection found that leaders have made no progress in improving the breadth of the secular curriculum. The range of subjects taught remains very narrow. The school’s timetable shows only four subjects taught in the afternoon by two teachers for two hours each day. Between them, the two members of staff plan and teach English, mathematics, science and history. Physical education is taught once a week by an

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Main inspection findings

external coach, but the planning for this subject is weak. For instance, it does not show what the component parts of a skill are and how they will be taught. Overall, the provision is meagre and does not provide pupils with a suitable quality of education.  The school’s curriculum policy has not been updated since the school’s previous standard inspection in June 2018. The policy still claims that the secular curriculum offers well- rounded provision, including technological and aesthetic education. Clearly, this is not the case and could potentially mislead parents and carers of prospective pupils. Leaders lack the knowledge and skills to build a broad curriculum that is suitable for the needs of their pupils.  Leaders have not developed suitable schemes of work, even for the four subjects currently on the timetable. In history, teachers have planned to teach pupils about the Russian Revolution in preparation for a sequence of lessons on the Cold War. However,

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Main inspection findings

this is the exception rather than the rule. Overall, not enough thought has gone into organising the knowledge that should be taught to support pupils’ learning. Several areas of the curriculum do not have any schemes of work at all.  The ‘Chol’ (secular) teachers are keen to improve their knowledge and skills about what makes effective teaching, learning and assessment. However, leaders do not have a suitable plan for teachers’ professional development. Assessment in the secular subjects is weak because it does not give teachers information about pupils’ knowledge so they can build on previous learning. Although teachers have developed some tests, these are not linked to a clearly defined sequence of learning. Hence, the information gained is not as useful as it might be to check on pupils’ knowledge about the most important concepts.  The independent school standards listed above remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils Paragraph 5, 5(b)(vi)  The previous inspection found that curriculum plans did not specify where teachers will teach respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010.  This inspection found that the school’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural education policy refers briefly to the protected characteristics. Leaders aim to teach them through a sequence of lessons on citizenship. However, no clear plans have been put in place and the teaching of the characteristics is not a component of the current curriculum.  The standards listed above remain unmet.

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Main inspection findings

Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils Paragraph 7, 7(a), 7(b), 11, 15  The previous monitoring inspection found that the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) had not completed the required training. The DSL was not present in the school all day, putting pupils at risk. The safeguarding policy was out of date and did not pay full regard to the guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Leaders had not ensured that the health and safety policy was effectively implemented. The school’s admissions register had not been properly maintained.  This inspection found that both the DSL and the deputy DSL have completed the required training on child protection. Suitable arrangements are in place for the deputy DSL to manage any child protection issues should they arise in the absence of the DSL. Hence, there is no break during the school day when pupils are placed under unnecessary risk.  The safeguarding policy was reviewed by governors in October 2020. It has been

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Main inspection findings

updated to have full regard to the Secretary of State’s September 2020 guidance, ‘Keeping children safe in education’. Leaders are familiar with the content of the policy and the key principles on which it is based. For example, they know when to seek advice and/or make a referral to the designated officer in Barnet.  Leaders have improved their systems for implementing the health and safety policy. Leaders think in terms of risks and try to find practical ways to mitigate them. For example, the multiple risks posed by COVID-19 (coronavirus) have been added as an addendum to the policy. Sensible measures to minimise the risks, for instance better signage and maintaining good hygiene standards, are in place. However, the guidance around risk assessments for activities outside school is not as clear as it could be, although there have been no trips or excursions due to the pandemic. This is an area that leaders need to improve quickly.

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Main inspection findings

 The school’s admissions register has been revised and now meets requirements. It shows clearly when pupils joined the school and the destinations of all pupils who have left the school. Leaders know about the safeguarding implications of children missing education and of their duty to share relevant information with the local authority.  The independent school standards listed above are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors Paragraph 18(2), 18(2)(a), 18(2)(b), 18(2)(c), 18(2)(c)(i), 18(2)(c)(ii), 18(2)(c)(iii), 18(2)(c)(iv), 18(2)(d), 18(2)(e), 18(3), 20(6), 20(6)(a), 20(6)(a)(i), 20(6)(a)(ii), 20(6)(b), (20)(6)(b)(i), 20(6)(b)(ii), 20(6)(b)(iii), 20(6)(c), 21(1), 21(2), 21(3), 21(3)(a), 21(3)(a)(i), 21(3)(a)(ii), 21(3)(a)(iii), 21(3)(a)(iv), 21(3)(a)(v), 21(3)(a)(vi), 21(3)(a)(vii), 21(3)(b)  At the previous inspection, checks on the suitability of staff to work at the school were not completed rigorously. A prohibition from management (S128) check had not been carried out on all leaders.  This inspection found that leaders have received suitable training about safer recruitment and the importance of giving attention to detail. Leaders have put into practice the training they have received for existing staff and for the recruitment of new staff. For example, all the required checks, such as those for prohibition from teaching and

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Main inspection findings

management, and medical fitness, are undertaken in a timely manner. The school’s single central register is compliant and meets statutory requirements.  The standards listed above are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 6. Provision of information Paragraph 32(1), 32(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, the school’s safeguarding policy was not in line with the guidance issued by the Secretary of State. It included inaccurate information that could mislead parents.  This inspection found that the school’s safeguarding policy is now up to date and does not contain inaccurate information. For example, roles and responsibilities have been clarified, and contact information about key personnel in the local authority has been updated. Although the school does not have a website, the policy is available to parents from the school office.  The standards listed above are now met.

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Main inspection findings

Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools Paragraph 34(1), 34(1)(a), 34(1)(b), 34(1)(c)  At the previous inspection, leaders had not given proper attention to safeguarding and pupils’ welfare. They had not made any progress to improve the quality of education. Leadership continued to lack capacity and the necessary systems and administrative support to secure the required improvements.  This inspection found that leaders have focused primarily on improving the systems and processes for safeguarding and pupils’ welfare. Leaders now carry out all the necessary checks before they employ staff. This reflects their improved knowledge and understanding of the importance of safer recruitment. Governors have invested in appropriate training for staff to improve their understanding of safeguarding.  Leaders and governors have made limited progress in improving the quality of education. The school has failed to meet many standards in part 1 on multiple occasions. Although

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Main inspection findings

governors have appointed a new head of the secular curriculum, too little time and resources have been allocated to developing the secular subjects. For instance, only two members of staff teach a narrow range of secular subjects. Consequently, pupils do not receive a broad and ambitious curriculum that prepares them well for the next stage of education.  Standards 34(1), 34(1)(a) and 34(1)(b) remain unmet. Standard 34(1)(c) is now met.

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Compliance with regulatory requirements

The school does not meet the requirements of the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (‘the independent school standards’) and associated requirements that were checked during this inspection, as set out in the annex of this report. This included the standards and requirements that the school was judged to not comply with at the previous inspection. Not all of the standards and associated requirements were checked during this inspection.

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School details

This inspection was carried out under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, the purpose of which is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school.

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School details

Website The school does not have a website

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School details

Date of previous standard inspection 19–21 June 2018

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Information about this school

 Lubavitch Senior Boys School is registered to admit up to 40 boys between the ages of 11 and 13. All pupils are from Orthodox Jewish backgrounds.  The school moved to its current premises in September 2019. The site is shared with Lubavitch Yeshiva Ketana. The school occupies the first floor of this shared building.  A substantive headteacher has been in post since January 2020, but was self-isolating during this inspection. A new deputy headteacher, who is also the head of the secular curriculum, was appointed in September 2020.  Pupils undertake ‘Kodesh’ (Jewish) studies until 2.30pm. They then study the secular curriculum for two hours a day.  The school does not make use of any alternative provision.  The school’s first and most recent full inspection took place in June 2018, when the overall judgement was inadequate. A number of the independent school standards were judged as unmet. In April 2019, an unannounced progress monitoring inspection took

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Information about this school

place. Again, many of the independent school standards were judged as not met. In August 2019, a material change inspection took place. It was judged that the school was likely to meet the relevant independent school standards if the material change relating to the school provision was implemented. A second unannounced progress monitoring inspection took place in December 2019, which found that the school failed to meet many of the independent school standards.

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Information about this inspection

 This inspection was carried out at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. The purpose of the inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.  At the request of the Department for Education, the inspection was carried out without notice. This was the school’s third monitoring inspection since its previous standard inspection in June 2018, when many of the independent school standards were not met. The overall effectiveness of the school was judged as inadequate.  The school submitted two action plans in December 2018 and July 2019, which detailed how it intended to meet the unmet independent school standards identified in the June 2018 inspection. Both plans were evaluated and judged to be unacceptable.  I was asked to report against unmet requirements within parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 of the

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Information about this inspection

independent school standards.  I met with the deputy headteacher (who is also the deputy designated safeguarding lead) and a member of the governing body. The substantive headteacher and the chair of the governing body were not available during this inspection.  I scrutinised schemes of work in the secular subjects and looked at learning resources and assessments. I visited secular lessons in mathematics and history.  I checked the school’s single central register and safeguarding documentation.  I spoke to pupils about their learning, safety and views about the school.

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Inspection team

Nasim Butt, lead inspector Her Majesty’s Inspector

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The school does not meet the following independent school standards

Standards that were not met at the previous inspection and remain unmet at this inspection

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

 2(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 2(1)(a) the proprietor ensures that a written policy on the curriculum, supported by appropriate plans and schemes of work, which provides for the matters specified in sub- paragraph (2) is drawn up and implemented effectively; and – 2(1)(b) the written policy, plans and schemes of work– – 2(1)(b)(i) take into account the ages, aptitudes and needs of all pupils, including those pupils with an EHC plan; and  2(2) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(1)(a), the matters are– – 2(2)(a) full-time supervised education for pupils of compulsory school age (construed in accordance with section 8 of the Education Act 1996), which gives pupils experience in linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technological, human and social, physical and aesthetic and creative education; – 2(2)(b) that pupils acquire speaking, listening, literacy and numeracy skills; – 2(2)(d) personal, social, health and economic education which–

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

– 2(2)(d)(ii) encourages respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act[9];  3 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that the teaching at the school– – 3(a) enables pupils to acquire new knowledge and make good progress according to their ability so that they increase their understanding and develop their skills in the subjects taught; – 3(b) fosters in pupils self-motivation, the application of intellectual, physical and creative effort, interest in their work and the ability to think and learn for themselves; – 3(c) involves well planned lessons and effective teaching methods, activities and management of class time; – 3(d) shows a good understanding of the aptitudes, needs and prior attainments of the pupils, and ensures that these are taken into account in the planning of lessons; – 3(e) demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter being

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Part 1. Quality of education provided

taught; – 3(f) utilises effectively classroom resources of a good quality, quantity and range; – 3(g) demonstrates that a framework is in place to assess pupils’ work regularly and thoroughly and use information from that assessment to plan teaching so that pupils can progress;  4 The standard in this paragraph is met where the proprietor ensures that a framework for pupil performance to be evaluated, by reference to the school’s own aims as provided to parents or national norms, or to both, is in place.

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Part 2. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils

 5 The standard about the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils at the school is met if the proprietor– – 5(b) ensures that principles are actively promoted which– – 5(b)(vi) encourage respect for other people, paying particular regard to the protected characteristics set out in the 2010 Act; and

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – 34(1)(a) demonstrate good skills and knowledge appropriate to their role so that the independent school standards are met consistently; – 34(1)(b) fulfil their responsibilities effectively so that the independent school standards are met consistently; and

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Part 3. Welfare, health and safety of pupils

 7 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 7(a) arrangements are made to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at the school; and – 7(b) such arrangements have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  11 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that relevant health and safety laws are complied with by the drawing up and effective implementation of a written health and safety policy.  15 The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor ensures that an admission and attendance register is maintained in accordance with the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2006[13].

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

 18(2) The standard in this paragraph is met if– – 18(2)(a) no such person is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that person is or will be engaging in activity which is regulated activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 to that Act; – 18(2)(b) no such person carries out work, or intends to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act, or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – 18(2)(c) the proprietor carries out appropriate checks to confirm in respect of each such person – 18(2)(c)(iv) where appropriate, the person’s qualifications; – 18(2)(e) in the case of any person for whom, by reason of that person living or having

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining such a certificate is not sufficient to establish the person’s suitability to work in a school, such further checks are made as the proprietor considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.  18(3) The checks referred to in subparagraphs (2)(c) and (except where subparagraph (4) applies) (2)(e) must be completed before a person’s appointment.  20(6) The standard in this paragraph is met in relation to an individual (“MB”), not being the chair of the school, who is a member of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate named as the proprietor of the school in the register or in an application to enter the school in the register, if– – 20(6)(a) MB – 20(6)(a)(i) is not barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act where that individual is or will be engaging in activity which is

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

regulate d activity within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 4 of that Act; and – 20(6)(a)(ii) does not carry out work, or intend to carry out work, at the school in contravention of a prohibition order, an interim prohibition order, or any direction made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in either such direction; – 20(6)(b) subject to subparagraphs (7) to (8), the chair of the school makes the following checks relating to MB – 20(6)(b)(i) where relevant to the individual, an enhanced criminal record check; – 20(6)(b)(ii) checks confirming MB’s identity and MB’s right to work in the United Kingdom; and – 20(6)(b)(iii) where, by reason of MB’s living or having lived outside the United Kingdom, obtaining an enhanced criminal record certificate is not sufficient to establish MB’s suitability

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

to work in a school, such further checks as the chair of the school considers appropriate, having regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State; – 20(6)(c) subject to sub-paragraph (8), where the Secretary of State makes a request for an enhanced criminal record check relating to MB countersigned by the Secretary of State to be made, such a check is made  21(1) The standard in this paragraph is met if the proprietor keeps a register which shows such of the information referred to in subparagraphs (3) to (7) as is applicable to the school in question.  21(3) The information referred to in this sub paragraph is– – 21(3)(a) in relation to each member of staff (“S”) appointed on or after 1 May 2007, whether – 21(3)(a)(ii) a check was made to establish whether S is barred from regulated activity relating to children in accordance with section 3(2) of the 2006 Act; – 21(3)(a)(iii) a check was made to establish whether S is subject to any direction

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Part 4. Suitability of staff, supply staff and proprietors

made under section 128 of the 2008 Act or section 142 of the 2002 Act or any disqualification, prohibition or restriction which takes effect as if contained in such a direction; – 21(3)(a)(iv) checks were made to ensure, where appropriate, that S had the relevant qualifications; – 21(3)(a)(viii) checks were made pursuant to paragraph 18(2)(e), including the date on which each such check was completed or the certificate obtained. – 21(6) The information referred to in this subparagraph is, in relation each member (“MB”) of a body of persons named as the proprietor appointed on or after 1 May 2007, whether the checks referred to in paragraph 20(6)(b) were made, the date they were made and the date on which the resulting certificate was obtained.

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Part 6. Provision of information

 32(1) The standard about the provision of information by the school is met if the proprietor ensures that– – 32(1)(c) particulars of the arrangements for meeting the standard contained in paragraph 7 are published on the school’s internet website or, where no such website exists, are provided to parents on request.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

 34(1) The standard about the quality of leadership and management is met if the proprietor ensures that persons with leadership and management responsibilities at the school– – –34(1)(c) actively promote the well-being of pupils guidance ‘Raising concerns and making a complaint about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-about-ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

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